About Me
I grew up in a rent-stabilized one-bedroom apartment in the West Village neighborhood of New York City, attending New York City public schools my whole childhood. That included LaGuardia High School, where I majored in visual art. I attended Boston University, where I curated a unique major: Social Movements and the Democratic Process. After a stint working on Capitol Hill at the US House of Representatives, I moved to Gowanus, where I have made a home and built a community since.
After working in constituent services and policy for members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the New York State Assembly, I grew my specialty in energy efficiency outreach and education, bringing together diverse community environmental leaders from across each borough to share resources and work together on messaging and events about energy efficiency, especially on its intersection with health, safety, and workforce opportunities. At the Center for NYC Neighborhoods, I managed energy efficiency and flood resilience programs funded by NYSERDA and the New York Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery from proposal to implementation, helping families prepare for the effects of climate change and allowing them to stay in their homes.
Currently, my focus is on promoting sustainability in affordable housing at New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
I have been working, organizing and fighting for change in American politics for almost 20 years. I have worked on and volunteered on dozens of political campaigns across the country, from Deval Patrick’s first gubernatorial campaign in 2006, eventually serving as an At-Large Delegate for Sen. Bernie Sanders at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. In 2020, I helped the Biden-Harris ticket win Pennsylvania as Deputy Director for Canvass Quality Control on behalf of For Our Future PAC.
In 2020, I ran for office myself, as Democratic District Leader/State Committeemember in New York’s 52nd Assembly District. While I did not win, I ran a climate-first campaign with competitive endorsements, coming close to winning after being outspent more than two to one. I served on the Kings County Democratic Committee representing Election District 91 in Assembly District 52 from 2014-2023.
After years of facilitating community discussions on Gowanus rezoning efforts, I became an inaugural co-chair of the Gowanus Oversight Task Force (GOTF) Sustainability and Resiliency Committee in 2023. GOTF works with New York City agencies to ensure their commitments under the rezoning are adhered to.
I was the co-founder of WIN.NYC, a network of Democratic pro-choice women that mobilized thousands of women to volunteer on Democratic campaigns, achieve their career goals, and make new personal and professional connections.
As an activist on issues of affordable housing, I also co-founded BewareBnb, a grassroots group in Brooklyn that worked to educate residents about the effect of illegal AirBnb rentals on housing affordability.
I wrote dozens of articles about current events, social justice, and upcoming events for this lifestyle blog about living the frugal life in Brooklyn from 2011 to 2017. Highlights include pieces about political canvassing, Gowanus rezoning, participatory budgeting, and of course Robyn dance parties.
